Optical fiber terminal connector apparatus

Abstract

An optical connector apparatus is provided. This connector apparatus includes a host connector connectable to a host device, a signal cable connected to the host connector, and a terminal connector connected to the host connector through the signal cable. The terminal connector is designed to be joined to a terminal device and includes a casing having a pair of hooks formed on both sides thereof. Each hook is designed to engage a recessed portion formed in a casing of the terminal device for establishing tight mechanical engagement between the terminal connector and the terminal device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An optical connector apparatus comprising: a host connector connectable to a host device;   a signal cable including at least one optical waveguide connected to said host connector; and   a terminal connector connected to said host connector through said signal cable, said terminal connector being designed to be joined to a terminal device and including a casing having formed thereon hook means for establishing engagement with the terminal device, said hook means having a barbed portion projecting from the casing of said terminal connector to engage a recessed portion projecting from the casing of said terminal connector to engage a recessed portion formed in the terminal device, and being supported pivotably about a shaft secured to a side of the casing, an end of the hook means being urged by a spring outward of the casing and including a stopper portion engaging a side wall of the casing to restrict pivotal movement of the hook means.   
     
     
       2. An optical connector apparatus comprising: a host connector connectable to a host device;   a signal cable including at least one optical waveguide connected to said host connector;   a terminal connector connected to said host connector through said signal cable, said terminal connector being designed to be joined to a terminal device and including a casing having formed thereon hook means for establishing engagement with the terminal device; and   probes working as charging terminals, each probe being elastically supported by the casing of the terminal connector so as to allow axial displacement for establishing engagement with charging terminals of the terminal equipment under a given degree of contact pressure.   
     
     
       3. An optical connector apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein each probe includes a pointed portion, a shaft, and a stopper portion formed on an end of the shaft, the pointed portion being urged by a spring outward of the casing, while the stopper portion restricts outward axial displacement of the pointed portion so as to at least partly project the pointed portion from the casing. 
     
     
       4. An optical connector apparatus as set forth in claim 2, further comprising sensor means for detecting the engagement of the terminal connector with the terminal device. 
     
     
       5. An optical connector apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said sensor means is provided with a probe and an optical sensor, the probe being supported by the casing so as to be axially displaced, the optical sensor being responsive to the axial displacement of the probe to provide a signal indicative of establishment of the engagement of the terminal connector with the terminal device. 
     
     
       6. An optical connector apparatus comprising: a host connector connectable to a host device;   a signal cable including at least one optical waveguide connected to said host connector; and   a terminal connector connected to said host connector through said signal cable, said terminal connector being designed to be joined to a terminal device and including a casing having formed thereon hook means for establishing engagement with the terminal device, said hook means having formed on both sides of the casing of the terminal connector a pair of hook members supported pivotally about shafts secured to the sides of the casing, each of the hook members having an end urged by a spring outward of the casing and including a stopper portion engaging a side wall of the casing to restrict pivotal movement of the hook member.   
     
     
       7. An optical connector apparatus comprising: a host connector connectable to a host device;   a terminal connector connected to said host connector through a signal cable including at least one optical waveguide, said terminal connector being designed to be joined to a terminal device and including a casing having formed thereon hook means for establishing engagement with the terminal device, said hook means being supported pivotably about a shaft secured to a side of the casing, an end of the hook means being urged by a spring outward of the casing and including a stopper portion engaging a side wall of the casing to restrict pivotal movement of the hook means; and   protrusions formed on an end surface of the casing of the terminal connector to align an optical signal transmitting/receiving terminal of the terminal connector with an optical signal transmitting/receiving terminal of the terminal device.   
     
     
       8. The optical connector apparatus of claim 7 further comprising engaging means on a second end of said hook members for engaging said terminal device.